Head JSA Instructors

Matt Bryers

Matt Bryers is a Soul Fighters Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, a 3rd degree Kobukai Ju-Jitsu Blackbelt, co-founder of the TRITAC-Jitsu System and TRITAC-Unarmed Instructor . He has been training Jiu-Jitsu, Combative Martial Arts, TRITAC-Martial Arts, Defence Lab: DNA Fight Science, wrestling, submission grappling, and many other martial arts for over 20 years.

Matt is also a strength and conditioning coach at the JSA. He is a Certified: Poundstone Performance Strongman Instructor, TRX Instructor, DVRT Instructor, and Kettlebell Instructor.

Matt has competed in many wrestling, submission grappling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, amateur strongman tournaments and a professional mixed martial arts fight.

Matt’s goals are to always try to learn and improve his Jiu-Jitsu, strongman lifts, hand to hand combat, and martial arts skills. He trains regularly with his peers, students, and teachers to improve himself both as a teacher and martial artist.

Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor, Jiu-Jitsu Team Coach

Formiga is without question – the best Jiu-Jitsu instructor in CT! We are EXTREMELY blessed, lucky, privileged, etc to have him teach at our school. He is one of the most talented and dynamic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters and teachers in the world.

Formiga is a 3x World IBJJF Masters Champio and is the co-founder of Soul Fighters BJJ USA. He is a 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt under Master Andre Almedia “Dedeco”.

Rafael teaches 5 days a week at the JSA. The opportunity to train with Formiga is HUGE – he brings a wealth of talent, experience, and amazing technical knowledge.

Rafael has won NUMEROUS titles in Brazil and the USA… He continually competes and wins successfully in all the major world tournaments, Pan Ams and local tournaments as well.

Justin Czaplicki

Strength Training Coach & Strongman Athlete

Hey guys my name is Justin Czaplicki and I’m a Strength athlete and coach. I’ve been training for and competing in the sport of Strongman since 2006. In that time I have competed in over 30 competitions all around the country. I have a total of over 20 years training and have been an athlete all my life. Strength and fitness are a huge passion of mine, along with helping others achieve their strength and fitness goals. I have trained with and learned from a wide variety of people over the years, including some of the best strength athletes in the world. I have gained a tremendous amount of real world knowledge, both from them and my own training experiences. I am also an Underground Strength Certified Coach; and I am always trying to expand my knowledge and learn from as many different people as I possibly can. Learning is definitely a never ending process for me, and I want to share what I have learned with you. I believe giving back is extremely important, and want to help as many of you achieve your strength and fitness goals as I can.

Assistant JSA Instructors

Our qualified assistants help teach all areas of our classes.

Coach Bill

Kids Jiu-Jitsu | Kobukai Ju-Jitsu

Adam Baisel

Kids Jiu-Jitsu | Kobukai Ju-Jitsu

Meghan Gibbs

Kids Jiu-Jitsu | Kobukai Ju-Jitsu

Damien Roberts

Fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu | BJJ

James Marriato

TRITAC Combat Fit | TRITAC-Unarmed

SUPER-STAR JSA Mananger

She got upset we weren’t going include her here!

Morgan Dutkiewicz

JSA Manager

Morgan has been with the JSA for a few months and helps keep the JSA running smooth! She’ll welcome you to the JSA when you enter and answer any questions you may have.